The BluPrint team was in the office of the Philippine Institute of Interior Designers (PIID) in Ortigas just in time for the first convening of its newly-elected trustees. Some members were meeting face-to-face for the first time. But at certain crossroads in their respective design careers, each one’s paths have intersected either through projects, in […]
Concrete Garden : A Pet-Friendly Abode
Platform 21 Architecture designs this pet-friendly home for a couple living in Metro Manila. The Concrete Garden is a tranquil abode that merges modernist design tropes with tropical motifs. Its single-story scale enables an intimacy between its occupants and their spaces.
A Uniform Rhythm in Balance
The Concrete Garden aims to mimic the calmness of the outdoors through its design language. It’s a refined assembly of natural materials formed together by minimalist stylings. The structure makes itself understood by means of its symmetric and repetitive elements that bring about a balanced and orderly arrangement.
The facade’s “soft fence” is divided into 6 distinct rectangles formed by a timber outline that are filled with either a concrete breeze block or wood panel finish. It also acts as a screen that filters the sunlight and wind entering the site. Right above, a large concrete canopy extends over the fence providing shade, unifying the overall design.
Advertisement
Nature seemingly seeps inside as the building blurs the lines between itself and the landscape. In terms of landscaping, “walls” of soil surround the perimeter. A planting strip of bamboo sits right behind the “soft” fence of the facade. This array of greenery grows higher than the fencing and cuts into the roof, making it part of the building’s frontage.
A Pet-Friendly Plan
“The dogs are primarily considered as the “home owners”. The house incorporates dog fences, while the cabinets with open bottom shelves act as the dog’s nook. The garden and lanai serve as the dog’s play area. The landscaping is also now a home to local birds, which became a haven to build their nests.”
The Concrete Garden’s plan features a single story with straightforward architectural programming. It invites users into the heart of the home with its shared spaces sitting right in the center. Private rooms are subsequently divided with bedrooms on one end and auxiliary spaces on the other. This forms an internal zoning within the structure that’s organized and easy to manage.
Advertisement
A central space housing the dining and living room connects the two different lanais that line the exterior. Despite its limited built area, an intentional alignment of spaces manages to bring about a sense of openness and introduces adaptability as a key feature. The utilization of built-in furniture and storage solutions keeps the interior clutter free and open to rearrangement. The dog fences and built-in shelves, with a notably open bottom, adds to the pet-friendliness of the design.
The choice of material and wood further accents the rhythmic pattern of balance and order already established so far. The warmth of wooden elements tastefully contrasts against the monotone colors of the exposed concrete walls and floors. The smoothness and properties of the flooring materials also makes it easier to clean and maintain. This interplay of materials creates a rich tapestry that contributes to the home’s tropical ambience and sleek modernity.
Connecting to Nature
Embracing its name, the Concrete Garden incorporates greenery throughout, creating a constant connection with nature for residents. The outdoor spaces are integral to the circulation and movement of the design.
Advertisement
From the inside, each space has its own door that directly leads to the outdoors. The lanai areas act as entrances that connect the building’s center to the site’s entrances. A stone pathway circles around the northern end of the site. Adobe walls accent the outdoors and frame the garden.
The large glass doors and openings are spaced closely to the natural perimeter and landscaping. A variety in the casing and fixtures, such as blinds, brings an element of control. This liberal delegation of openings supports a slew of sustainable design principles. The permeable facade, open layout, and wide integration of fenestrations is a compelling formula for passive cooling and natural lighting.
Elegance in Simplicity
The Concrete Garden demonstrates how artificial and natural elements can be deeply intertwined into one another. Its single level, large central space, and spatial characteristics make it an easy-to-maintain home that still meets everything its owners need.
Advertisement
Read more: EKAR’s Recent Project Is Every Dog Lover’s Dream
Photos from Platform 21
In an era where efficient functionality often takes top priority, the risk is losing one’s uniqueness and individuality. The home should be a place where one can relax and truly be oneself, while also offering comfort and a reassuring sense of order. The bulthaup b Solitaire is designed to transform the home into a refined […]
Skin clinics are reimagining the spatial design of medical institutions, moving away from traditional sterile environments. In 2025, BluPrint covered various clinics that subvert this design trope. Belo Nexa Inside Belo Nexa, the design prioritizes luxury, comfort, and a seamless patient experience. Designed by Budji Layag, the space offers a sense of openness, with a […]
Art, more than anything, is deeply human in its triumph and flaws. While everyone aims for perfection, what makes art compelling is how it showcases the deep, individual traits that affect every artist working today. Many Philippine artists working today have such a profound trove of influences and talent that one cannot help but marvel […]
Over the past decades, adaptive reuse has been utilized as a sustainable alternative for the built environment. It involves repurposing existing buildings for a new use, allowing the past to remain while serving a modern purpose. Here, structures facing potential demolition or no longer serviceable are seen as sources of raw materials for new projects. […]
2025 was challenging for Filipinos, to say the least. It was always foregrounded with stressful discussions of corruption, economic unrest, threats of war, and general misinformation that was inescapable. Which is why art has become such an important outlet of activism for people over the past year: what better speaks to this moment in our country […]
Download this month's BLUPRINT magazine digital copy from:
Subscribe via [email protected]